Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest on the trade war's impact.

Republicans risk drifting away from public opinion on health care

Andrew Harnik / AP

The American public largely disagrees with the process President Trump and congressional Republicans are taking to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

The new flashpoint: The GOP's new proposal would let states decide whether to keep all of the law's insurance protections for people with pre-existing conditions, as well as determine whether to provide them with minimum coverage benefits.

Let states decide on pre-existing conditions: 26%

Require for all states: 70%

Let states decide on minimum benefits: 33%

Require for all states: 62%

Why it matters: The poll suggests that Republicans risk drifting farther away from public opinion in their latest health care compromise. It doesn't say states should decide whether to cover pre-existing conditions at all, but it would let them opt out of federal rules that ban insurers from charging more to sick people.